Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma
A Review By: RS
The Cruel Prince meets Ninth House in this dangerously romantic dark academia fantasy, where a lost heiress must infiltrate an arcane society and live with the vampire she suspects killed her family and kidnapped her sister.
It began long before my time, but something has always hunted our family.
Orphaned heiress Kidan Adane grew up far from the arcane society she was born into, where human bloodlines gain power through vampire companionship. When her sister, June, disappears, Kidan is convinced a vampire stole her—the very vampire bound to their family, the cruel yet captivating Susenyos Sagad.
To find June, Kidan must infiltrate the elite Uxlay University—where students study to ensure peaceful coexistence between humans and vampires and inherit their family legacies. Kidan must survive living with Susenyos—even as he does everything he can to drive her away. It doesn’t matter that Susenyos’s wickedness speaks to Kidan’s own violent nature and tempts her to surrender to a life of darkness. She must find her sister and kill Susenyos at all costs.
When a murder mirroring June’s disappearance shakes Uxlay, Kidan sinks further into the ruthless underworld of vampires, risking her very soul. There she discovers a centuries-old threat—and June could be at the center of it. To save her sister, Kidan must bring Uxlay to its knees and either break free from the horrors of her own actions or embrace the dark entanglements of love—and the blood it requires.
Perfect for fans of:
Romantasy
Vampires
Morally Gray Characters
Enemies to Lovers
Villainous Romantic Leads
Dark Academia
Review Notes:
Audio Book Publication Year: 2024
An installment in a Series? Yes
Narrator (s): Jordan Cobb
In the spirit of the spooky season, I decided to explore a book that had taken BookTok by storm. While I wouldn't say the hype is entirely warranted, the story certainly captivated me enough to anticipate the next installment.
The FMC, Kidan Adane, worked my last nerve throughout the story. Just when I thought she might redeem herself, she would do something that made me roll my eyes. Yet, her flawed character effectively illustrates the complex nature of righteousness and evil. In contrast, her adversary, Susenyos Sagad, emerges as a villain you can’t help but love. Initially perceived as a monstrous vampire, he reveals himself to be Kidan's dark knight in shining armor. Their dynamic is a twisted take on the enemies-to-lovers trope, filled with eerie tension.
Tigest Girma crafts a compelling mystery surrounding the disappearance of Kidan's sister, June, intricately weaving a cast of characters who contribute to the unfolding truth. The audiobook experience is further enhanced by Jordan Cobbs' narration. Her voice perfectly suits the dark fantasy themes of the story, and she skillfully distinguishes between characters, bringing the tale to life.
Overall, I’d rate this audiobook a solid 3.5 stars, and as I said, will definitely be tuning in for the next book in the series.
Reading Recommendation? Yes
Rating: 3 (It's aight)
Content Warnings? Physical abuse/violence, Human or animal loss
